Maintenance monitor system

Abstract

The system is provided for controllably monitoring data associated with operational characteristics of an engine. The system determines a maintenance activity requirement based on such characteristics. The system includes a plurality of transducers associated with the engine and connected to a programmable logic device. Signals from the transducers are continuously monitored and stored in an associated storage device. In response to predetermined sets of operational characteristics, an indication of when maintenance is due on the engine is produced by the logic device.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus to controllably monitor data associated with preselected operational characteristics of an engine, said engine having a preselected engine oil sump capacity, comprising: a programmable logic device;   a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to said programmable logic device and each adapted to produce parameter signals responsive to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters;   a storage device connected to said programmable logic device;   wherein said parameter signals are received by said programmable logic device and controllably manipulated by said programmable logic device to produce responsive information signals, and wherein said programmable logic device produces a maintenance due signal having a value responsive to the oil capacity of said engine oil sump, the average of one of the actual distance and time per unit of fuel attained by said engine during a preceding predetermined time interval, and a preselected constant ratio of engine fuel to engine oil, said maintenance due signal being delivered by said programmable logic device to said storage means.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a display device connectable to said programmable logic device, and wherein said maintenance due signal value is compared with the value of the respective information signal corresponding to one of the actual current distance and time, and a maintenance due indication is delivered to said display device in response to said actual signal having a value equal to or greater than said maintenance due signal. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said predetermined time interval is the most recent prior completed maintenance interval. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, including a communication port connected to said programmable logic device and a data transmission device connected to said communication port, said data transmission device being sufficient to deliver said maintenance due signal to a remote location. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a control portion connectable to said programmable logic device and adapted to deliver a set of manually selectable limits associated with at least one of distance and time and fuel consumption to said logic device, said selectable parameters being storable in said storage device, and wherein said maintenance due signal is produced in response to the first occurrence of an actual one of said parameter signals attaining a value equal to said one of said distance and time and fuel consumption limits. 
     
     
       6. A method for controllably monitoring data associated with preselected operational characteristics of an engine, said engine having a preselected engine oil sump capacity, a plurality of transducers respectively connectable to a programmable logic device and each adapted to produce parameter signals responsive to respective preselected engine and vehicle parameters, and a storage device connected to said programmable logic device, comprising the steps of: producing information signals in response to said operational characteristics of said engine;   producing a maintenance due signal having a value responsive to the oil capacity of said engine oil sump, the average of one of the actual distance and time per unit of fuel attained by said engine during a preceding predetermined time interval, and a preselected constant ratio of engine fuel to engine oil; and,   delivering said maintenance due signal to said storage means.   
     
     
       7. A method, as set forth in claim 6, including a display device connectable to said programmable logic device, and including the step of comparing said maintenance due signal value with the value of the respective information signal corresponding to one of the actual current distance and time, and delivering a maintenance due indication to said display device in response to said actual signal having a value equal to or greater than said maintenance due signal. 
     
     
       8. A method, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said predetermined time interval is the most recent prior completed maintenance interval. 
     
     
       9. A method, as set forth in claim 6, including the step of delivering said maintenance due signal to a remote location.